GHNS Illinois Budget (3/31/08)

Monday

Mar 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMMar 31, 2008 at 11:38 AM

GHNS Illinois Budget (3/31/08)

Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at www.gatehousenewsservice.com. Please check www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news in the evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.

If your paper has a story, digest item, opinion piece or standalone photo to share, please e-mail it to Illinois@gatehousemedia.com.

When Tom Bergstrom imagines a megadairy near his home in northwestern Illinois, he envisions vast pools of manure contaminating groundwater and the stench of ammonia clouding the air. Jo Daviess County, with its rolling hills and meandering roads, is a top Illinois tourist destination. Bergstrom fears the farm, with 5,464 cows and associated tanker-truck traffic, may poison that picturesque scene near Nora, a town about 50 miles west and north of Rockford. By Aaron Chambers and Andrea Zimmerman of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1565509462

STATE BRIEFS: News from around the state. Will be posted this evening.

FAIRGROUNDS REPORT: Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, has finally received a report he requested after electrical problems surfaced at the Illinois State fairgrounds. With sidebar on how the original series of power outages happened. By Doug Finke of the State Capitol bureau.

TEEN DRINKING: More than 50 Illinois communities will host community forums on teen alcohol use through April 4. By Adriana Colindres of the State Capitol bureau.

Nine named in Rezko trial have connection to teacher's retirement system

SPRINGFIELD – The marquee name in the Tony Rezko political corruption trial is Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Interest also has been piqued because Rezko was a fundraiser for presidential candidate Barack Obama. But at least 10 Springfield-area residents also played roles in the scenario that federal prosecutors have put together in building the case against Rezko. Nine have a connection to the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System. By Bernard Schoenburg and Bruce Rushton of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1565509344

Patience a virtue for woman waiting on kidney

HENDERSON – Susie Edwards is used to waiting. She waits for test results. She waits for insurance, Social Security and Medicaid paperwork. But most of all, she waits for the day the doctor will call and she’ll have to drop everything to go to the hospital. Edwards, 60, is on a waiting list for a kidney transplant. By Matt Hutton of the Galesburg Register-Mail.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x325170745

Shelter helps save seriously ill cats from euthanasia

DAWSON -- There’s no vacancy at Mai Britt’s kitty compound in rural Dawson. Sixteen fat, friendly felines live in a five-room loft above the large garage and office space on her property. By Jayette Bolinski of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1279458791

Lord, bless this bike and all who ride it

SPRINGFIELD – The Rev. Mark Estrop has a few words of advice for bikers who might be tempted to open up the throttle a bit too far: “Don’t drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.” Estrop, of Rochester’s Rolling Prairie Baptist Church, fit right in Saturday as he blessed about two dozen motorcycles parked at Hall’s Harley-Davidson in Springfield. By John Reynolds of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1279458896

State law means pothole claims are rarely approved

ROCKFORD – If you’ve hit a pothole this year and want some cash from the city for the damages, you’re not alone. If you think you have any chance of getting your money back, you’re probably out of luck. By Sean F. Driscoll of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1012436357

Molars and makeovers: Dentist's photo shoots highlight new smiles

HINSDALE – Amid the teeth-whitening gels, bibs, periodontal drills and packs of latex gloves in Dr. Michael Morgan’s cosmetic dentistry office, there sits a professional portrait background and some Canon lenses. By Jessica Young of Suburban Life Publications.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1279458838

BRITT: Toon on Springfield sanitary district trustees. Will be posted this evening.

Dave Bakke: Baby books home at last

After more than 20 years, two lost baby books have been returned to a family member.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/opinions/x1565509401

Jeff Vrabel: Vytorin, veggies do a body good

Unlike most people who enjoy the music of Jimmy Buffett and have been to Austin, Texas, I try to avoid taking drugs on a regular basis.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/opinions/x1012435991

Pam Adams: Have an election ‘elopement’

Instead of trying to finesse a compromise to count Democratic voters and seat Democratic delegates from the two states at the Democratic National Convention, borrow a page from the same songbook. Ramp up the date of the national election. Skip the conventions. Hold the national election by mid-June. Get it over with. The country can't take nine, six or even three more months of Bush/Cheney Inc.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/opinions/x79617242

ILLINOS FEATURES:

Jordanaires reunite with ‘Elvis’

GALESBURG – Elvis Presley’s first backup band, The Jordanaires, will make a rare appearance at the Orpheum Theatre on Wednesday night — and no one is more excited about it than Al Hull. Hull, of Galesburg, has been performing Elvis tributes for about 30 years. By Jane Carlson of the Galesburg Register-Mail.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x325170771

Cheap Trick, Jett don't disappoint

DEKALB – Two people who don’t usually appear on stage with Cheap Trick impressed a crowd of 3,000 fans Saturday night at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center. By Georgette Braun of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1565509536

MIKE NADEL: The Cubs begin their defense of the NL Central against the Milwaukee Brewers – if the weather cooperates. Will be posted this evening.

WITH THE ILLINI: Multi-sport notebook column. Lead item will be on Illinois sophomore Travon Bellamy bouncing back from two shoulder surgeries to contend for a starting spot at safety. By John Supinie. Moving early evening.